A Swanwick woman is set to cycle a staggering 220 miles in one day to benefit a charity close to her heart, Ambitious about Autism.

On June 23, 39-year-old Amy Barnes, originally from Bristol, will participate in the M2L challenge.

The event, starting at dawn from the Rapha Clubhouse in Manchester, will take her through the Pennines and Chilterns, finishing at Rapha Headquarters in North London by sunset.

The national charity Ambitious about Autism advocates for autistic children and young people.

Starting as a lone school, it has evolved into a force for positive change.

The M2L fundraising event was birthed in 2014 by Simon Mottram, ex-CEO and founder of Rapha, a cycling lifestyle brand.

Throughout its existence, the event has generated more than £1.5 million for the charity, with Mottram and his wife, Lucy, serving as ambassadors.

Their son Oscar is an attendance at the charity's specialist TreeHouse School.

Barnes' motivation to fundraise originates from her personal experience with her autistic son.

Like numerous autistic children and young adults, he has faced several challenges at school, including misunderstanding and bullying.

In March, Ambitious about Autism unveiled its Autistic and OK programme for secondary schools.

This educational toolkit seeks to enhance the mental health of autistic students by fostering understanding and acceptance of autism within the entire school community, including teachers, peers, and parents.

Additionally, Barnes has autistic brothers, intensifying her profound connection with the cause.

To maximize her fundraising efforts, she has established a fundraising page, www. ambitious220.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/fundraisers/amybarnes/manchester-to-london, which has already amassed an impressive £1,772 for the charity.

Ms Barnes said: "Although I’m nervous, I’m also excited for the challenge and feel proud to be raising awareness of autism and such an important cause.

"Autism can have a huge impact on autistic children and young people and their families, but this is mainly due to the world not being an accommodating enough place. This needs to change."